Anatomy of two mechanisms of breaking physical dormancy by experimental treatments in seeds of two North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae)

Anatomy of the endocarp was studied in relation to the physical dormancy-breaking mechanisms in experimentally treated Rhus aromatica var. aromatica and R. glabra germination units, which include seed plus endocarp (hereafter seeds). The endocarp has three distinct layers, with brachysclereids on the outside, osteosclereids in the middle, and macrosclereids on the inside. Brachysclereids in the carpellary micropyle region (i.e., region immediately adjacent to the integumentary micropyle) are shorter than those in other parts of the endocarp, and the macrosclereids in this region are not elongated. Thus, a weak point is formed in the endocarp. Concentrated sulfuric acid broke seed dormancy in R. aromatica by eroding the brachysclereids and osteosclereids in the carpellary micropyle region, whereas boiling water broke dormancy in seeds of R. glabra by inducing a blister adjacent to the carpellary micropyle.     

Development and structure of the pericarp and seed of Rhus lancea L. fil. (Anacardiaceae), with taxonomic notes

The pedicel of the female flower of Rhus lancea is distinctly articulated and usually carries three bracteoles. In the linear tetrad the micropylar megaspore forms the 8-nucleate embryo sac of the Oenothera -type. The single, bitegmic ovule is anatropous. The ripe, loose, papery exocarp consists mainly of the outer epidermis and a sclerified hypodermis. The mesocarp is not a typical sarcocarp, since the ridges and the inner layers are sclerenchymatous. The endocarp, originating from the inner epidermis, consists of four layers and its structure and microchemistry emphasize the close alliance of Rhus with other genera of the section Rhoideae. The endotestal seed indicates a phylogenetic affinity between the Anacardiaceae and the Burseraceae.     

Development and structure of the pericarp and seed of Rhus lancea L. fil. (Anacardiaceae), with taxonomic notes

The pedicel of the female flower of Rhus lancea is distinctly articulated and usually carries three bracteoles. In the linear tetrad the micropylar megaspore forms the 8-nucleate embryo sac of the Oenothera-type. The single, bitegmic ovule is anatropous. The ripe, loose, papery exocarp consists mainly of the outer epidermis and a sclerified hypodermis. The mesocarp is not a typical sarcocarp, since the ridges and the inner layers are sclerenchymatous. The endocarp, originating from the inner epidermis, consists of four layers and its structure and microchemistry emphasize the close alliance of Rhus with other genera of the section Rhoideae. The endotestal seed indicates a phylogenetic affinity between the Anacardiaceae and the Burseraceae.     

Phylogenetic and biogeographic diversification of Rhus (Anacardiaceae) in the Northern Hemisphere

Sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, the chloroplast ndhF gene, and chloroplast trnL-F regions (trnL intron, and trnL [UAA] 3' exon-trnF [GAA] intergenic spacer) were used for phylogenetic analyses of Rhus, a genus disjunctly distributed in Asia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and Northern Central America. Both ITS and cpDNA data sets support the monophyly of Rhus. The monophyly of subgenus Rhus was suggested by the combined cpDNA and ITS data, and largely supported in the cpDNA data except that Rhus microphylla of subgenus Lobadium was nested within it. The monophyly of subgenus Lobadium was strongly supported in the ITS data, whereas the cpDNA data revealed two main clades within the subgenus, which formed a trichotomy with the clade of subgenus Rhus plus R. microphylla. The ITS and cpDNA trees differ in the positions of Rhus michauxii, R. microphylla, and Rhus rubifolia, and hybridization may have caused this discordance. Fossil evidence indicates that Rhus dates back to the early Eocene. The penalized likelihood method was used to estimate divergence times, with fossils of Rhus subgenus Lobadium, Pistacia and Toxicodendron used for age constraints. Rhus diverged from its closest relative at 49.1+/-2.1 million years ago (Ma), the split of subgenus Lobadium and subgenus Rhus was at 38.1+/-3.0 Ma. Rhus most likely migrated from North America into Asia via the Bering Land Bridge during the Late Eocene (33.8+/-3.1 Ma). Rhus coriaria from southern Europe and western Asia diverged from its relatives in eastern Asia at 24.4+/-3.2 Ma. The Hawaiian Rhus sandwicensis diverged from the Asian Rhus chinensis at 13.5+/-3.0 Ma. Subgenus Lobadium was inferred to be of North American origin. Taxa of subgenus Lobadium then migrated southward to Central America. Furthermore, we herein make the following three nomenclatural combinations: (1) Searsia leptodictya (Diels) T. S. Yi, A. J. Miller and J. Wen, comb. nov., (2) Searsia pyroides (A. Rich.) T. S. Yi, A. J. Miller and J. Wen, comb. nov., and (3) Searsia undulata (Jacq.) T. S. Yi, A. J. Miller and J. Wen, because our analyses support the segregation of Searsia from Rhus.     

Seed coat development in Leucospermum cordifolium (Knight) Fourcade (Proteaceae) and a clarification of the seed covering structures in Proteaceae

MANNING, J. C. & BRITS, G. J., 1993. Seed coat development in Leucospermum cordifolium (Knight) Fourcade (Proteaceae) and a clarification of the seed covering structures in Proteaceae . The development of the seed coat and pericarp is studied in Leucospermum cordifolium from ovule to mature seed. The ovule and seed are characterized by a tegmic pachychalaza. The pericarp is adnate to the integuments from anthesis and remains unthickened to maturity. The outer integument forms the seed coat and the seed is endotestal: the outer epidermis becomes tanniniferous and the inner epidermis develops into a crystalliferous palisade. The inner integument degenerates at an early stage. Examination of the literature reveals that the crystal palisade layer of the outer integument has been erroneously assumed to constitute an endocarp. This finding indicates that a re-interpretation of all published information on the seed coat in indehiscent Proteaceae is necessary before any speculations on the phylogenetic significance of the seed coat can be entertained.     

The ontogeny and structure of the pericarp and seed-coat of Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. ex Krauss (Anacardiaceae)

The exocarp sensu lato , which develops from the outer epidermis and adjacent parenchyma of the ovary wall, consists of collenchyma cells with a stomatous epidermis. The fleshy, parenchymatous mesocarp or sarcocarp develops after endocarp differentiation. The endocarp is partly spongy and partly woody. The spongy endocarp contains most of the vascular tissue and fills the cavities and grooves of the intricately sculptured outer woody endocarp. The inner woody endocarp and adjacent woody, endocarpal operculum develop from the inner epidermis and subepidermal parenchyma of the ovary wall. The bitegmic, anatropous ovule develops into a derived, exalbuminous seed with an undifferentiated seed-coat. An extensive chalaza, extensive hypostase sensu lato and the raphe are important in the development of the seed-coat. The pericarp and seed-coat of H. caffrum is compared with those of Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra and Lannea discolor . The close phylogenetic relationship of these three species of the Spondieae is reaffirmed. The marked similarities in pericarp and seed structure between H. caffrum and species of the genus Spondias are noted.     

Critical phases in the seed development of common juniper (Juniperus communis)

Common juniper (Juniperus communis L.) populations in northwest European lowlands are currently declining in size and number. An important cause of this decline is a lack of natural regeneration. Low seed viability seems to be one of the main bottlenecks in this process. Previous research revealed a negative relation between seed viability and both temperature and nitrogen deposition. Additionally, the seeds of common juniper have a variable ripening time, which possibly influences seed viability. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. In order to elucidate this puzzle, it is important to understand in which phases of seed production the main defects are situated, together with the influence of ripening time. In this study, we compared seed viability of populations with and without successful recruitment. We examined three seed phases: (i) gamete development; (ii) fertilisation and early‐embryo development; and (iii) late‐embryo development. After the first two phases, we found no difference in the percentage viable seeds between populations with or without recruitment. After late‐embryo development, populations without recruitment showed a significantly lower percentage of viable seeds. These results suggest that late‐embryo development is a bottleneck in seed development. However, the complex interaction between seed viability and ripening time suggest that the causes should be in the second seed phase, as the accelerated development of male and female gametophytes may disturb the male–female synchrony for successful mating.     

Dynamics of maternal and paternal effects on embryo and seed development in wild radish (Raphanus sativus)

Background and Aims

Variability in embryo development can influence the rate of seed maturation and seed size, which may have an impact on offspring fitness. While it is expected that embryo development will be under maternal control, more controversial hypotheses suggest that the pollen donor and the embryo itself may influence development. These latter possibilities are, however, poorly studied. Characteristics of 10-d-old embryos and seeds of wild radish (Raphanus sativus) were examined to address: (a) the effects of maternal plant and pollen donor on development; (b) the effects of earlier reproductive events (pollen tube growth and fertilization) on embryos and seeds, and the influence of embryo size on mature seed mass; (c) the effect of water stress on embryos and seeds; (d) the effect of stress on correlations of embryo and seed characteristics with earlier and later reproductive events and stages; and (e) changes in maternal and paternal effects on embryo and seed characteristics during development.

Methods

Eight maternal plants (two each from four families) and four pollen donors were crossed and developing gynoecia were collected at 10 d post-pollination. Half of the maternal plants experienced water stress. Characteristics of embryos and seeds were summarized and also compared with earlier and later developmental stages.

Key Results

In addition to the expected effects of the maternal plants, all embryo characters differed among pollen donors. Paternal effects varied over time, suggesting that there are windows of opportunity for pollen donors to influence embryo development. Water-stress treatment altered embryo characteristics; embryos were smaller and less developed. In addition, correlations of embryo characteristics with earlier and later stages changed dramatically with water stress.

Conclusions

The expected maternal effects on embryo development were observed, but there was also evidence for an early paternal role. The relative effects of these controls may change over time. Thus, there may be times in development when selection on the maternal, paternal or embryo contributions to development are more and less likely.     

果皮和种皮微形态特征在杜鹃花属系统学研究中的应用

采用扫描电子显微镜对国产杜鹃花属Rhododendron6个亚属的代表种和近缘类群杜香属Ledum杜香L.palustre的果皮和种皮微形态特征进行观察,对杜鹃花属植物果皮微形态特征进行了系统描述,并通过比较现存杜鹃花属植物和种子化石,新发现一些居间的种子类型。结果表明,果皮和种皮微形态特征具有一定的系统学意义。叶状苞亚属subgen.Therorhodion的叶状苞杜鹃R.redowskianum的果实有短而疏的刺毛,无气孔,种子为无翅类,扁平,外围轮廓长椭圆形。杜鹃亚属subgen.Rhododendron植物果皮为百合花杜鹃型,具有鳞片,气孔器散生于指状突起之间,与叶表皮的微形态特征一致,其种子为百合花杜鹃型,表面具宽而浅的沟,呈脑纹状,有别于无鳞类杜鹃花。常绿杜鹃亚属subgen.Hymenanthes果皮为云锦杜鹃型,其角质层表面不规则,无表皮毛,偶见气孔;种子为云锦杜鹃型。映山红亚属subgen.Tsutsusi果皮为岭南杜鹃型,密生长表皮毛,角质层致密;种子为南边杜鹃型和岭南杜鹃型。微形态特征与“常绿杜鹃亚属和(国产)映山红亚属均为内部支持率很高的单系类群”的分子系统发育研究结果一致。马银花亚属subgen.Azaleastrum的马银花组sect.Azaleastrum和长蕊杜鹃组sect.Choniastrum微形态区别明显,支持各自为独立的单系类群。羊踯躅亚属subgen.Pentanthera的羊踯躅R.molle果皮特征明显,可与其他亚属区分,但种子类型更接近常绿杜鹃亚属。本研究结合分子系统发育资料和叶表皮微形态特征讨论了一些近缘类群的系统发育关系;研究结果支持将腺萼马银花处理为独立的种。     

Competition and the compensatory regulation of fruit and seed set in the perennial herb Epilobium dodonaei (Onagraceae)

I studied the effects of competition and soil fertilization on variation of seed yield components of the outcrossing perennial Epilobium dodonaei Vill. using a randomized complete block design. Fertilization as a main effect was not significant. Competition, however, reduced the number of flower buds per shoot (-29%), the number of ovules per fruit (-12%), and the number of ripe fruits per shoot (-51%). In addition, competition caused an increase in abortion of flower buds. Consequently the fruit/flower bud ratio decreased from 0.71 to 0.47. Average seed mass was not reduced significantly by competition. Some of the negative effects of competition on fruit production were mitigated by fertilization. However, competition considerably reduced the proportion of late-aborted seeds, which resulted in an increase of the seed/ovule ratio from 0.31 to 0.49 (+58%). As a consequence of this compensation, the reduction in the number of seeds per shoot due to competition was not significant. At the level of the genet, competition had a strong effect on seed yield due to decreases in the number of shoots produced. I discuss patterns of regulation at consecutive levels of reproduction. Shoots of plants suffering from competition initially invested less in reproductive structures than the control and showed a higher abortion rate of less costly structures early in reproductive development, but also had a lower abortion rate later in their development. The observed compensatory pattern in yield components illustrates the fine-tuning regulation capacity at different levels of reproductive development in plants.     

Weedy adaptation in Setaria spp. IV. Changes in the germinative capacity of S. faberii (poaceae) embryos with development from anthesis to after abscission

Studies were conducted evaluating germinability states in giant foxtail (Setaria faberii) embryos, as well as surrounding tissues (hull, caryopsis), with germination assays. Further, seed age, fascicle arrangement, flowering patterns, and elongation in the inflorescence were evaluated. Both qualitatitive and quantitative morphological observations of the hull and the caryopsis were revealed by precisely determined fertilized spikelet age from anthesis until after seed abscission. Red coloration of the placental pad at ≈ 11 d after anthesis is probably a morphological indicator of physiological maturity. Germinability of giant foxtail embryos changed with development. Four qualitatively different types of embryo germination were observed during development of the seed: early disorganized callus growth at the basal, coleorhizal end of the embryo; germination of immature embryos with shortened and thickened axes; germination of the scutellum; and germination and growth of the coleoptile and coleorhiza in embryos aged 7 d after anthesis and older. Axis-specific embryo germinability was also observed. Inhibition of the embryo could be localized to the coleoptile, the coleorhiza, or both. These studies provide evidence for a complex model of germinability regulation based on the independent, asynchronous actions of the embryo, caryopsis, and hull compartments, as well as on their dependent, synchronous action. These studies provide evidence for a dynamic, developmental model of giant foxtail germinability regulation resulting in phenotypes with a wide range of germinability shed from an individual panicle. These diverse germinability phenotypes are found at all stages of development, but particularly when the seed is shed and the soil seed bank is replenished.     

The systematic relevance of fruit and seed structure in Bersama and Melianthus (Melianthaceae)

 The fruit and seed anatomy and morphology of the two genera Bersama and Melianthus (Melianthaceae, Sapindales) have been studied in an effort to clarify their systematic position. On the basis of the differences in pericarp and seed anatomy as well as in other exomorphic characters the segregation of Bersama into a distinct family Bersamaceae is supported. Evidence mainly from seed anatomy and morphology emphasizes the anomaly of the traditional inclusion of Bersama and Melianthus in the Sapindales, since they have a distinct seed-coat structure and seed vascularization. The fruit and seed anatomy does not confirm any relationships with alternatively suggested exo-mesotestal Lardizabalaceae. The exotestal seed coats of Bersama and Melianthus with a differentiated palisade of Malpighian cells in the exotesta, dimerous raphal vascular skeleton, abundant endosperm, and a small differentiated straight embryo show a resemblance with the exotestal albuminous seeds of Rhamnaceae and Elaeagnaceae. Using also additional data on fruit, floral and vegetative morphology it is suggested that Bersamaceae with Melianthaceae and Rhamnaceae/Elaeagnaceae constitute a distinct relict side-branch of exo-mesotestal rosidaceous ancestry, the new order Melianthales in the superorder Rhamnanae (Rosidae). The formerly suggested relationship of this side-branch to exotegmic Malvales is not supported by seed anatomy. The affinity with exotegmic Celastrales, which are considered as a possible connecting link between archaic exo-mesotestal Rosales and exotestal Rhamnales/Elaeagnales, is also found untenable. Received May 12, 2000 Accepted December 7, 2000     

Gibberellins in developing fruits of Pisum sativum cv. Alaska: Studies on their role in pod growth and seed development

Gibberellins A₁, A₈, A₂₀ and A₂₉ were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the pods and seeds from 5-d-old pollinated ovaries of pea (Pisum sativum cv. Alaska). These gibberellins were also identified in 4-d-old non-developing, parthenocarpic and pollinated ovaries. The level of gibberellin A₁ within these ovary types was correlated with pod size. Gibberellin A₁, applied to emasculated ovaries cultured in vitro, was three to five times more active than gibberellin A₂₀. Using pollinated ovary explants cultured in vitro, the effects of inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis on pod growth and seed development were examined. The inhibitors retarded pod growth during the first 7 d after anthesis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous application of gibberellin A₃. In contrast, the inhibitors, when supplied to 4-d-old pollinated ovaries for 16 d, had little effect on seed fresh weight although they reduced the levels of endogenous gibberellins A₂₀ and A₂₉ in the enlarging seeds to almost zero. Paclobutrazol, which was one of the inhibitors used, is xylem-mobile and it efficiently reduced the level of seed gibberellins without being taken up into the seed. In intact fruits the pod may therefore be a source of precursors for gibberellin biosynthesis in the seed. Overall, the results indicate that gibberellin A₁, present in parthenocarpic and pollinated fruits early in development, regulates pod growth. In contrast the high levels of gibberellins A₂₀ and A₂₉, which accumulate during seed enlargement, appear to be unnecessary for normal seed development or for subsequent germination.Abbreviations GA_(a) gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - PFK perfluorokerosene - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Comparative palynology and seed morphology in annual pansies (Viola sect. Melanium,Violaceae): implications for species delimitation

Abstract

This integrated study provides new insights into pollen and seed morphology and pollen heteromorphism of four closely related annual taxa of Viola sect. Melanium. The plant material, both fresh and dried, was collected in Italy and studied using light and scanning electron microscope. Palynological data for V. hymettia together with a detailed comparative analysis of seed morphology and micromorphology of the four species are reported for the first time. Results of this work highlight some pollen and seed features as useful diagnostic characters. The pollen size proves to be of diagnostic value to easily separate V. kitaibeliana, having the smallest pollen grains, from the others, especially from V. arvensis with the largest ones. Exine ornamentation is microreticulate, showing no relevant differences among species. We can partially confirm the diagnostic value of the prevailing pollen morph as it can be useful only for V. arvensis (five-aperturate) versus V. tricolor and V. hymettia (four-aperturate). The macro- and micromorphology of seeds provide additional useful distinguishing characters. Particularly, seed size was found to be a good delimitating character, especially to distinguish V. kitaibeliana (with the smallest seeds) from V. arvensis, and easy to be measured with no need of particular equipment.     

Effect of pollen load size and source (self, outcross) on seed and fruit production in highbush blueberry cv. 'Bluecrop' (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM; Ericaceae)

Reproductive fitness of a plant is ultimately determined by both number and quality of seed offspring. This is determined by sexual selection of pollen microspores and ovules during pollination and fertilization. These processes may include pollen competition and seed abortion, which reduce the number of microspores and ovules available for final seed production. Thus, even an excess of pollen microspores to ovules does not result in fertile seeds equal to ovule number. We investigated pollen requirements of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cultivar 'Bluecrop') for maximal seed production and how fertile seed number translates into fruit quality, since fruit quality would ultimately determine the dispersal of its offspring. We demonstrate that individual blueberry flowers with a mean of 106 ovules reach their maximum fruit set and mass and minimum time to ripen when 125 outcross pollen tetrads pollinate a flower, compared to 10 or 25. Three hundred tetrads resulted in the increase of fertile seeds, but did not result in a further increase of fruit mass or fruit set, or decrease in time to ripen. We also examined the effect of pure and mixed loads of self and outcross pollen (25 and 125 tetrads), and found no differences in fertile seed number, fruit mass, or percentage fruit set when pollen loads were either 25 self or outcross pollen tetrads, although number of days to ripen was significantly shorter by 8 d with 25 outcross tetrads. When the pollen load of 125 tetrads consisted of self or a 50:50 mixture of self and outcross pollen, fruit mass, days to ripen, and percentage fruit set were not different from loads of 125 outcross pollen. In addition, a pollen load of 25 outcross tetrads resulted in fertile seed number and fruit quality in between that of 25 self, and 125 self, 125 mixed, or 125 outcross tetrads. Large, small, and flat seed types were identified, and only large seeds (length = 1.7 mm) were fertile. These results improve our understanding of pollen load size and source requirements of a crop plant and the limits to pollen transfer when translated to fruit growth.     

Polyamine levels in pollinated and auxin-induced fruit of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) during development

The changes taking place during fruit development in the concentration of the 3 polyamine fractions, i.e. free, perchloric acid-soluble conjugates and perchloric acid-insoluble bound polyamines, were analyzed in tomato fruits ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. F121) induced to set by either pollination or auxin application. Before the onset of cell division, total polyamines were 50% higher in auxin-treated fruits than in pollinated ones, most of the polyamines being found as perchloric acid-soluble conjugates in both fruit set treatments. At the onset the level of polyamines in both fruit types was 100 times higher than during cell expansion or ripening. The highest polyamine found during cell division was perchloric acid-soluble conjugated spermidine in both fruit set treatments. After cell division, polyamine concentration was similar in both fruit set treatments. The concentration of polyamines in the jelly was similar in pollinated and auxin-induced fruits during cell expansion but not during ripening. At the onset of ripening there was an increase of one order of magnitude in the concentration of perchloric acid-insoluble bound putrescine in the jelly of pollinated fruits. Polyamines were more than 5-fold higher in unpollinated ovaries than in fruits induced to set by either pollination or auxins. It is suggested that pollinated and parthenocarpic fruits differ in their polyamine metabolism during the initial stages of development, but not after cell division. It is also suggested that polyamines undergo rapid turnover during cell division. Perchloric acid-insoluble bound putrescine might play a role in seed formation in tomatoes.     

Weak interactions between avian and insect frugivores: the case of Pistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae)

Vertebrate frugivores often feed on fruits upon or within which insects also feed, yet little information exists on the potential magnitude of interactions between these consumers. The Mediterranean shrub Pistacia terebinthus, the birds that consume its fruits, and the wasps that feed upon its seeds are examined in this study. P. terebinthus produces a highly variable fraction of final-sized red fruits that never become mature (green-colored). Red fruits can be immature, parthenocarpic, aborted, or attacked by wasps, and their pulp is much less nutritious than that of mature fruits. A total of 20 bird species consumed the fruits in the study area. Legitimate dispersers accounted for 39% of the total fruit removal, while pulp eaters and seed predators accounted for the remainder. Birds strongly preferred the mature fruits (only 4% of the fruits consumed were red). The incidence of wasps in the seeds ranged from 0 to 42% of the crop in 1989 and from 0 to 24% in 1990. The influence of avian and insect frugivore guilds on each other appears to be quite low because of the narrow overlap in resource utilization by birds and wasps, and an overall low intensity of wasp seed predation. From an evolutionary perspective, the possible ability of wasps to preclude fruit maturation appears not to be attributable to the present interaction with avian frugivores.     

Comparative seed morphology and character evolution in the genus Lysimachia (Myrsinaceae) and related taxa

Summary We investigated seed morphology in 34 species of the genus Lysimachia and in 14 species and two subspecies of six additional genera (Anagallis, Ardisiandra, Asterolinon, Glaux, Pelletiera, Trientalis), which have been shown to be closely related to, or are placed within Lysimachia in previous molecular studies. We studied seed shape, seed coat structure, and seed coat surface patterns. Three major types of seed shape were identified: (1) sectoroid, (2) polyhedral, and (3) coarsely rugose with concave hilar area. In addition, seeds may be keeled or winged. The outer layer of the seed coat is either sponge-like and adhering only loosely to the inner seed coat or it is thin and tightly adhering to the underlying tissue. Seed surface patterns can be divided into six main types: (1) reticulate, (2) tuberculate, (3) vesiculose, (4) colliculate, (5) undulate, or (6) poroid-alveolate. Seed surface patterns are mostly congruent with molecular phylogenetic relationships. A reticulate surface pattern is diagnostic of, e.g. Lysimachia subgenera Palladia and Hawaiian Lysimachiopsis. Mapping seed characters onto a recent phylogenetic tree, reveals that they provide potentially synapomorphic character states for various subclades of Lysimachia. Salient examples include a rugose seed shape, which turns out to be synapomorphic for the clade comprising the genus Pelletiera plus Asterolinon linum-stellatum and a sponge-like outer seed coat layer, which characterizes a clade with Lysimachia vulgaris, L. thyrsiflora, and L. terrestris, with an analogue that apparently evolved in parallel in Trientalis europaea. We also discuss possible habitat factors that may have favored the independent evolution of particular seed types such as winged seeds in various lineages.     

Ecophysiology of embryo development and seed germination of the European woodland herbaceous perennial Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte subsp. cava (Fumariaceae)

In this study we examined the germination ecology with special reference to the temperature requirements for embryo development and germination of Corydalis cava subsp. cava, under both outdoor and laboratory conditions. Corydalis cava is a spring flowering woodland tuberous geophyte widely distributed across Europe. Germination phenology, including embryo development and radicle and cotyledon emergence, was investigated in a population growing in northern Italy. Immediately after harvest, seeds of C. cava were sown both in the laboratory under simulated seasonal temperatures and naturally. Embryos, undifferentiated at the time of seed dispersal, grew during summer and autumn conditions, culminating in radicle emergence in winter, when temperatures fell to ca 5°C. Cotyledon emergence also occurred at ca 5°C, but first emergence was delayed until late winter and early spring. Laboratory experiments showed that high (summer) followed by medium (autumn) and low temperatures (winter) are needed for physiological dormancy loss, embryo development and germination respectively. Unlike seeds of C. cava that germinated in winter, in other Corydalis species radicle emergence occurred in autumn (C. flavula) or did not depend on a period of high summer temperature to break dormancy (C. solida). Our results suggest that subtle differences in dormancy and germination behavior between Corydalis species could be related to differences in their geographical distribution.     

Seed dormancy in Acer: The role of abscisic acid in the regulation of seed development in Acer platanoides L.

Germinability of isolated embryos from developing fruits of Acer platanoides was high at the earliest developmental stage assessed (90 dpa), but fell subsequently and at seed maturity was very low. These observations showed an inverse correlation with changes in endogenous free abscisic acid (ABA) levels in the embryo, which were low during early ontogeny, but reached maximum levels late in development (150–160 dpa). These observations suggest the possibility that dormancy may be induced during development as a result of ABA accumulation in the embryo, an argument strengthened by the obvious inhibitory effect of added ABA on the germinability of isolated embryos. The cotyledons appear to exert an inhibitory influence on embryo germinability that may result from their free ABA content although the embryonic axis itself possesses an innate dormancy that may reflect its own free ABA content. The increased germinability of isolated embryos resulting form added kinetin serves only to emphasise the complexity of the system and the dangers of simplistic interpretation.The correlation between germinability and ABA content is not complete, however, since much of the reduction in germinability had occurred before any appreciable increase in free ABA levels in the embryo was observed. Indeed the failure of the intact seed to respond to endogenous changes in embryonal ABA levels suggests that even though free ABA in the embryo may influence embryo germinability, it has little effect in the intact seed, where the presence of an intact testa may be a more important factor.The absence of a desiccation phase in the embryo during the late stages of development suggests that the large increases in endogenous free ABA did not cause dormancy by inhibiting water uptake, nor did they result from water stress in the embryonal tissues.